UWS An Inclusive Community

UWS Multifaith Chaplaincy September 2008

What do you know about ?

Followers of the teachings of the are called . Hindu staff and students form a substantial part of the UWS community. Acknowledging and respecting Hindu identities at UWS therefore requires, in part, a basic understanding of what Hinduism and being a Hindu is about. About Hinduism Hinduism originated and developed in over the last 3,000-3,500 years. It is the majority in India. Hindus believe in one Supreme who manifests him/herself in many different forms. Some of these include , , Ganesh, Sakti (), , , Siva and Skanda (Murugan).

Hindus believe: • in the Vedas (scriptures) • there is one Supreme God who is the creator of the universe • in reincarnation • that everyone creates their own destiny ()

There are four major classified according to their respective focus of .

Vaishnavism worship Vishnu and his , particularly Krishna and , as the Supreme God.

Saivism Saivites worship Siva (also spelt ) as the Supreme God.

Shaktism Shaktas worship God as the , Sri Devi or the Divine Mother in her many forms. Hindu Dress Code Traditional Hindu women wear the sari. Traditional male Hindus wear the Smartism white cotton dhoti. Smarta Hindus view the different manifestations of God as equivalent. They accept all major Hindu and are commonly known as liberal or Women in particular may wear a dot (tilak) of powder or other non-sectarian. coloured substance on their foreheads as a symbol of their religion. For women, tilak is also considered a beauty mark.

Dietary Requirements and Restrictions Hindu Religious Observance • The cow is considered . Hindus therefore avoid eating beef. Place of Worship • Some Hindus are vegetarian and do not eat meat, fish, eggs or place of worship is the temple. Most temples make up to five products made from these foods. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian daily offerings of food to the gods. Hindus also maintain one or more foods cannot be cooked together. shrines in their homes as the focus of worship. Worship can take place • is commonly practised on new moon days and during certain daily, at any . religious . The sacred text of Hinduism is called the Vedas which is a word meaning and wisdom. There are four Vedas: Significant Hindu Festivals and Celebrations • Rig-Veda (Veda of ) /Nine Nights • Sama-Veda (Veda of ) Navaratri is a nine day dedicated to the worship of the Sakti. • Yajur-Veda (Veda of ) The tenth day is known as Vijaya Disami (Day of Victory) in which • Atharava-Veda (Veda of ) of thankfulness are offered.

Each Veda is divided into three strata, namely: Deepavali//Festival of Lights • : collections of hymns, chants and sacrificial formulas as Diwali (north India) or Deepavali () is the most important and appropriate widely celebrated Hindu event symbolising both the lifting of spiritual • : expository texts darkness and the renewal of life. It is celebrated by the lighting of oil • Upanishad: speculative treatises lamps called diyas in houses, shops and public spaces. It is also a time for wearing new clothes and feasting with family and friends. Diwali/ Deepavali is set by Hindu lunar and therefore varies each year. Hindus in Translated to the , it usually falls in October-November. • Hinduism was first introduced to Australia in the early 19th century with the arrival of Asian people as crew on trading ships and as Chathurthi labourers on cotton and sugar plantations. This festival is celebrated on the chaturthi or ‘”fourth day” after the • In the 19th century there were also Hindu merchants, traders and new moon in the Tamil month of Avani (August-September). Ganesha camp followers associated with the British military and police, where receives special pujas (prayers) throughout the day, and his worship often incorporates a large festival parade. This festival is celebrated by nearly all they worked as cooks and horse stablers. Hindus regardless of and is especially pronounced in North India. • In the 2006 Census, over 148,000 people in Australia identified as Hindu. Makar • In the 2006 Census, 0.7% of the total population identified as Hindu. is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar and falls on 14 January each year. It falls on the day when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Makar () and when day and night are of equal duration. Variations exist in the way Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout Respecting Religious and India. For example, of southern India refer to Makar Sankranti as at UWS the or where families gather to rejoice and share their harvests. Offerings of rice and milk are made to the deity Surya, symbolising the sun. UWS Equal Opportunity Policy It is the policy of the University of Western Sydney to provide equal Mahasivaratri/Siva’s Great Night opportunity for all staff and students regardless of sex, pregnancy, race, Mahasivaratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Siva as marital status, homosexuality, age, family responsibilities, disability, deity beyond time, form and space. This involves an all night vigil which transgender, political conviction or religious . does not finish until dawn when devotees may break a day long fast. It is considered mandatory for all Saivites. Mahasivaratri is based on the Multifaith Facilities Hindu , therefore dates vary each year. Translated to the Multifaith facilities are available for students and staff on all UWS Western (Gregorian) calendar, Mahasivaratri falls in February-March. campuses. For and Room locations: http://www.uws.edu.au/students/ods/chaplains References and Further Information ABC Religion and Ethics: Hinduism http://www.abc.net.au/religion/stories/s790133.htm

BBC Religion and Ethics: Hinduism http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/index.shtml

Government of Western Australia – Office of Multicultural : and Religion – Guidelines for Service Providers – Hinduism http://www.omi.wa.gov.au/omi_guidelines.asp?choice=3

Hindu Council of Australia http://www.hinducouncil.com.au/

Hindu Festivals http://www.hinduism.co.za/newpage3.htm

Hinduism Today: Hinduism http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2003/10-12/44-49_four_sects.shtml

Hindustanlink.com Hindu Festivals http://www.hindustanlink.com/festivals/hindu_festivals.htm

IndiaOz: A-Z of Hinduism http://www.indiaoz.com.au/hinduism/index.shtml

Kauai’s Hindu : Hinduism – The Basics http://www.himalayanacademy.com/basics/

Religion Facts: Hinduism http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/index.htm

The Heart of Hinduism: The Four Main Denominations http://hinduism.iskcon.com/tradition/1200.htm

Understanding Hinduism http://www.hinduism.co.za/

Wikipedia: Hinduism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism

ABC: The Sacred Site http://www.abc.net.au/compass/explore/hindu.htm

Religions in Canada http://www.forces.gc.ca/hr/religions/engraph/religions00_e.asp

Acknowledgement: Flinders University